BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to tri-substituted tetrahydrofuran antifungals, such as (-)-[(5R)-
cis-[-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-dihalophenyl)-5-(1
H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy]phenyl] substituted antifungals,
pharmaceutical compositions containing them, tri-substituted tetrahydrofuran antifungal
intermediates, and methods of treating and/or preventing antifungal infections in
hosts, including warm-blooded animals, especially humans with such tri-substituted
tetrahydrofuran antifungals.
[0002] International Publication Number WO 89/04829, published 1 June 1990 and USP 5,039,676
(A.K. Saksena
et al.) discloses (±)
cis and (±) (
trans antifungal compounds represented by the formula

wherein X= F, Cl; Z=loweralkyl, (C₂-C₈) alkanoyl or phenyl substituted by 2-loweralkyl-3-oxo-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl,e.g.,
(±)-
cis and (±)-
trans-1-[4-[[2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-[(1
H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]tetrahydro-4-furanyl]methoxy]phenyl]-4-(1-methylethyl)piperazine.
However, WO 89/04829 does not specifically disclose the compounds of this invention.
[0003] There is a need for broad-spectrum antifungal agents to treat systemic fungal infections,
especially
Aspergillus and
Candida infections.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides compounds represented by formula 1

wherein X is independently both F or both Cl or one X is independently F and the
other is Cl;
- Y=
-

- R'
- = (C₁-C₁₀)alkyl; (C₂₋C₁₀)alkenyl; (C₂-C₁₀)alkynyl; (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl; or CH₂R²;
- R²
- = (C₁-C₃) perhaloalkyl; CO₂R3; *CH(OR⁴)CH₂OR⁴ or CH₂N(R⁵)₂
- R³
- = lower alkyl or H
- R⁴
- = R³ or (CH₂)₂OR³
- R⁵
- = lower alkyl
Z=H, or (C₁-C₅) alkanoyl and the carbons with the asterisk (*) have the R or S absolute
configuration; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
[0005] In a preferred aspect of the present invention there is provided compounds represented
by formula Ia

wherein X is independently both F or both Cl or one X is independently F and the other
is independently Cl;
- R'
- =

and the carbons with the asterisk (*) have the R or S absolute configuration; or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
[0006] The present invention also provides intermediates useful for the production of antifungal
compounds represented by formula I. Thus, the present invention provides a compound
represented by formula III-VII:

wherein X is independently both F or both Cl or one X is independently F and the other
is independently Cl;
- R'
- =

L is OH or LG; LG is a leaving group;
R'' is lower alkyl or Z and
Z=H or (C₁-C₅) alkanoyl and the carbons with the asterisks (*) have the R or S absolute
configuration.
[0007] The carbon with the asterisk in the compound of formula VII may be in the R or S
absolute configuration when Z is not equal to H; each optical isomer of VIII may be
independently converted into the compounds of formula III by the synthetic steps of
Scheme III listed hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE
[0008] The sole figure illustrates the efficacy (PO) of preferred antifungal compounds of
this invention, e.g., the compounds of formula IIa and IIb of this invention vs itraconazole,
fluconazole and saperconazole in compromised mice infected by inhalation of
Aspergillus flavus spores.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] The term "lower alkyl", as used herein, means straight and branched chain hydrocarbon
groups of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl,
n-, and
iso-propyl,
n-,
sec- and
tert-butyl,
n-,
sec-,
iso-,
tert- and
neo-pentyl,
n-,
sec-,
iso-,
tert- and
neo-hexyl and the like.
[0010] The term "(C₁-C₁₀) alkyl", as used herein means straight and branched chain alkyl
groups of one to ten carbons including but not limited to methyl, ethyl, n and
iso propyl,
n,
sec,
iso and
tert-butyl,
n-,
sec-,
iso-,
tert and
neo-pentyl
n-,
sec-,
iso-,
tert- and
neo-hexyl,
n-,
sec-,
iso-,
tert- and
neo-heptyl,
n,
sec-
iso,
tert-and
neo-octyl,
n,
sec,
iso neo- and
tert-nonyl, and
n,
sec,
iso,
tert-
neo-decyl.
[0011] The term "(C₂-C₁₀) alkenyl, as used herein means straight and branched chain alkenyl
groups of two to ten carbons containing at least one
.. double bond, and including -CH₂CH=CH₂, -CH₂CH=CH-CH₃, -(CH₂)₃CH=CHCH₃, -(CH₂)₂CH=CHCH₃,
-CH₂CH=CHC₂H₅, -CH=CHCH(CH₃)₂; *CH(CH₃)CH₂CH=CH₂, -*CH(C₂H₅)CH₂CH=CH₂, -*CH(C₂H₅)(CH₂)₂CH=CH₂,
-*CH(C₃H₇)CH₂CH=CH₂, -*CH(C₄H₇)CH₂CH=CH₂, -*CH(CH₃)CH₂CH=C(CH₃)₂, -*CH(C₂H₃)CH₂CH=C(CH₃)₂.
The double bond may be in the
cis or
trans form; use of the
trans isomer is preferred.
[0012] The term "(C₃-C₁₀) alkynyl", as used herein means straight and branched chain alkyl
groups of two to ten carbons containing at least one triple bond and including -CH₂C≡CH₃,
-CH≡C₂CH₅, -(CH₂)₃C≡CH, -C(CH₂)₄C≡CH, -(CH₂)₃C≡CCH₃, *CH(CH₃)CH₂C≡CH, -*CH(C₂H₅)CH₂C≡CCH,
-*CH(C₃H₇)(CH₂)₂C≡CH₃, -*CH(C₄H₉)(CH₂)₂C≡-CCH, -CH₂-C≡C-C≡C-C(CH₃)₃ and -CH₂-CH=CH-C≡C-C(CH₃)₃
[0013] The term "(C₃-C₈) cycloalkyl", as used herein means cycloalkyl groups of three to
eight carbons including, cyclopropyl -methylcyclopropyl, dimethylcyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,
cyclopentyl, methylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl.
[0014] The term "(C₁-C₃) perhaloalkyl" as used herein means alkyl groups of one to three
carbons wherein all the hydrogens are replaced by halogen, especially fluorine or
chlorine. Typically suitable (C₁-C₃) perhaloalkyl include CF₃-, CF₃CF₂-, CCl₃CCl₂-
and
n and
iso-C₃F₇.
[0015] The term "leaving group" (LG) as used herein, means leaving groups readily displaceable
with appropriate reactants under conventional conditions well known to those skilled
in the organic synthetic arts so as to form the compound represented by formula I.
Typical suitable leaving groups include but are not limited to halide especially bromide
but also iodide, trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy, methylsulfonyloxy, and 4-methyl-phenylsulfonyloxy.
[0016] The term "(C₁-C₅) alkanoyl", as used herein means straight and branched chain alkanoyl
groups of 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as formyl, acetyl,
n- and
iso-propionyl, n,
sec-, and
iso -butyryl and
n-,
sec,
iso, and
tert-pentanoyl.
[0017] The dihalophenyl group in the compounds of the invention includes 2,4-difluorophenyl;
2,4-dichlorophenyl; 2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl and 2-fluoro-4-chlorophenyl.
[0018] The compounds of the invention exhibit broad spectrum antifungal activity in various
in vitro assays against yeasts, dematophytes and
Aspergillus as well as in the following
in vivo models: an
Aspergillus pulmonary mouse model (PO and parenteral), a
Candida systemic model (with normal and compromised mice, PO and parenteral), and in a
Candida hamster vaginal model (PO and topically). For example, the preferred antifungal compounds
represented by formulas IIa, IIb and IIc are more active orally against
Aspergillus flavus pulmonary infections in an
in vivo mouse model than itraconazole, fluconazole and saperconazole (See Comparative Example
31 and Table I and Figure 1). Compounds represented by formulas IIa, IIb and IIc were
more active than itraconazole and saperconazole against (a) systemic candidiasis in
normal and compromised mice (See Comparative Example 33 and Table II and comparative
Example 36 and Table V) as well as in (b) a
Candida vaginal infection in a hamster model.
[0019] The antifungal compounds of this invention represented by formula I have the R absolute
stereochemical configuration at the carbon in the tetrahydrofuran ring bearing the
di-halophenyl and
1H, 1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl moieties, and the CH₂OY moiety has the "cis" stereochemical
configuration relative to the 1
H, 1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl moiety. See the formula I hereinbelow.

The compounds of formula I are generically but not specifically disclosed as the
"cis" series, type ii, at col. 9 lines 59-68 of Saksena
et al. USP 5,039,676 and Example 68 at Co. 5, line 16 to col. 52, line 44. The antifungal
compounds of this invention e.g. of formula IIb exhibit oral activity in the
Aspergillus pulmonary mouse model; the compound of Example 68 of US Patent 5,039,676 is inactive
in this
in vivo Aspergillus model. See Comparative Example 34 and Table III.
GENERAL SYNTHETIC PREPARATIONS
[0020] The compounds of this invention may be prepared by use of the sequence of steps illustrated
in the following Schemes I-III. In Scheme I, compound 3 is readily prepared from commercially
available compound 1 according to examples
1a,
1b and
1c. Compound 4 is prepared by reaction of L(+) -diethyl tartarate ("L-DET") and molecular
sieves in the presence of titanium
tetra-isopropoxide (i-PrO)₄T
i in an aprotic solvent, such as methylene chloride, at a temperature 0° to -35°C.
See for example - T. Katsuki, K.B. Sharpless,
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 102, 5974 (1980); and
103, 464 (1981). An oxidizing agent, e.g.
tert-butylhydroperoxide ("TBHP") is added to this reaction mixture (step d of Scheme I).
Compound 3 is added and the compound of formula 4 (when L(+)-diethyl tartarate is
used) is produced. Reaction of compound 4 with 1
H-1,2,4-triazole in the presence of strong base, e.g., NaH in an aprotic solvent, such
as DMF, at 0°-5°C provides the diol compound of formula 5. The primary hydroxy group
in compound 5 is converted into a leaving group, e.g., mesylate or tosylate (compound
6) by reaction of 5 with, for example, mesyl chloride ("MsCl") in an aprotic solvent,
e.g., methylene chloride in the presence of base, e.g., triethylamine ("Et₃N"). Compound
6 is treated with strong base, e.g., sodium hydride (NaH) in an aprotic solvent, e.g.,
DMF at room temperature to give oxirane compound 7. Reaction of 7 with diethyl malonate
in the presence of strong base, e.g., sodium hydride in an aprotic solvent, e.g.,
DMSO at 25°-75°C provides the lactone 8. Reduction of 8 with a metal hydride, e.g.,
lithium borohydride (LiBH₄) in an alcohol, e.g., ethanol (EtOH), provides the triol
9. Conversion of the two primary alcohols of 9 into leaving groups (mesylates or tosylates)
by reaction of 9 with excess tosyl chloride in an aprotic solvent, e.g., THF, in the
presence of base, e.g., Et₃N, provides ditosylate 10. Compound 10 is contacted with
strong base, e.g., NaH, in an aprotic solvent such as toluene at elevated temperatures
of 100°-120°C to provide a mixture of two tosylates (
cis and
trans) which are separated by chromatography to yield to the
cis-tosylate 11. Reaction of compound 11 with alcohols HOY in the presence of strong
base, such as NaH in an aprotic solvent, such as DMSO at a temperature of 25°-75°C
provides compounds of formula I.
[0021] Scheme II provides an alternative reaction sequence to obtain compounds of the present
invention. Reaction of compound 11 with the commercially available compound 12 in
the presence of NaH gives compound 13. Hydrolysis of N-acetyl group in 13 is accomplished
with a strong base such as NaOH in the presence of n-BuOH to provide compound 14.
It should be made clear that instead of N-acetyl group in compound 12, any other base
labile groups such as N-formyl, N-benzoyl, etc., can also be used to provide corresponding
N-formyl and N-benzoyl derivatives of compound 13. Reaction of 13 with p-chloronitrobenzene
in the presence of a hydrochloric acid scavenger such as K₂CO₃ provides the nitro
compound 15. Catalytic reduction of 15 in the presence of a platinum or palladium
catalyst yields the amine 16. Treatment of 16 with phenylchloroformate in the presence
of pyridine gives the urethane intermediate 17. Reaction of 17 with hydrazine yields
the semicarbazide 18 which is cyclized in the presence of formamidine acetate to furnish
the key triazolone 19. Alkylation of 19 according to Examples 19 and 20 provides the
compounds of structure 20 including compounds of formulas IIa and IIb.
[0022] Scheme III provides a stereospecific access to the
cis-alcohol 26 and
cis-tosylate 11 by application of enzyme chemistry. For example, reaction of the triol
9 with ethyl acetate in the presence of porcine pancreatic lipase gives a single monoacetate
21. The remaining primary hydroxy group in 21 is protected by an acid labile group
such as tetrahydropyranyl group to give a compound such as 22. Hydrolysis of the acetoxy
group in 22 is accomplished with a base such a KOH which provides 23. The remaining
steps are: (i) tosylation of compound 23 to provide 24; (ii) cyclization of 24 in
the presence of NaH to provide 25 (iii) deprotection of THP ether in 25 using an acid
catalyst such as p-toluene sulfonic acid (to give 26) followed by tosylation of the
resulting 26 to furnish the key intermediate 11. (Examples 37-41)
Scheme I
[0023]
Reagents: (a) NaOAc; (b) Wittig Reaction; (c) KOH; (d) L-DET, TBHP, (i-Pr)₄Ti; (e) NaH, 1,2,4-triazole,DMF;
(f) MsCl, Et₃N,CH₂Cl₂; (g) NaH, DMF; (h) NaH, CH₂(COOEt)₂, DMSO; (i) LiBH₄, EtOH;
(j) TsCl, Et₃N, THF; (k) NaH, toluene, heat; (l) chromatography; (m) NaOY, DMSO
X= F or Cl
Scheme II
[0024]
Reagents: (a) NaH; (b) NaOH/n-BuOH; (c) p-Cl-C₆H₄NO₂/ K₂CO₃/ DMSO; (d) H₂/Pt/C; (e) C₆H₅OCOCl/
pyridine/ CH₂Cl₂; (f) NH₂.NH₂/ H₂O/ dioxane; (g) Formamidine acetate/DMF/heat; (h)
according to Examples 19 and 20
Scheme III
[0025]
Reagents: (a) Porcine pancreatic lipase/EtoAc; (b) dihydropyran/H⁺; (c) KOH; (d) Tosyl chloride/
pyridine; (e) NaH; (f) Methanol/H⁺; (g) Tosyl chloride/ pyridine.
[0026] The compounds of formula I may be prepared by reaction of compound 11 (Compound of
formula III wherein LG =OTs) with alcohols of formula HOY in the presence of a strong
base, e.g., NaH in an aprotic solvent, such as DMSO.

(R)-"Tosylate" Series
See Example 15
wherein
X=F or Cl;
- Y=
-

- R'
- = (C₁-C₁₀) alkyl; (C₂-C₁₀) alkenyl; (C₂-C₁₀) alkynyl; (C₃-C₈) cycloalkyl; or CH₂R²;
- R²
- = (C₁-C₃) perhaloalkyl; CO₂R³, -*CH(OR⁴)CH₂OR⁴ or CH₂N(R⁵)₂
- R³
- = lower alkyl or H
- R⁴
- = R³ or (CH₂)₂OR³
- R⁵
- = lower alkyl
Z=H, or (C₁-C₅) alkanoyl and the carbons with the asterisks (*) have the R or S absolute
configuration. Compound 11 is a preferred intermediate of the compounds represented
by formula III wherein LG=OTs The alcohols HOY are commercially available, or are
prepared in accordance with published procedures or prepared in accordance with this
invention. See Examples 27 and 28 for preparation of the intermediates of formula
IV, V and VI.
The preferred compounds of this invention are represented by formula II

wherein X in both places is F or both Cl;
- R'
- =

and the carbons with the asterisk (*) have the R or S absolute configuration.
[0027] The preferred antifungal compounds of this invention are represented by formulas
IIa, IIb and IIc.

and which is named (-)-[(5R)-
cis-[-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(1
H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]-2,4-dihydro-2[(R)-(1-methylpropyl)]-3
H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (See Example 23) and

and which is named (-)-[(5R)-
cis-[-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(1
H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-2,4-dihydro-2-[(S)-(1-methylpropyl)]-3
H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (See Example 24) and

and which is named (-)-[(5R)-
cis-[-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(1
H-1,2,40-triazol-1-ylmethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-2,4-dihydro-2-(3-pentyl)]-3
H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (See Example 27.5)
[0028] The compound IIc is more preferred.
[0029] Compounds represented by formula I exhibit broad spectrum antifungal activity, in
conventional antifungal screening tests, against human and animal pathogens, such
as the following:
Aspergillus,
Blastomyces, Candida,
Cryptococcus,
Coccidioides,
Epidermophyton,
Fonsecaea,
Fusarium,
Geotrichum,
Histoplasma,
Monosporium,
Paracoccidioides,
Rhodotorula,
Saccharomyces,
Torulopsis,
Trichophyton and others.
[0030] The compounds of formula II are not inducers of various cytochrome P-450 liver drug
metabolizing enzymes in an
in vivo rat model.
[0031] The compounds of formula I exhibit topical, oral and parenteral antifungal activity
in
in vivo tests in animals and such activity is unexpectedly better than that of saperconazole
and itraconazole as well as that of the compounds specifically disclosed by Saksena
et al. in USP 5,039,676.
[0032] The antifungal compounds of formula I and pharmaceutical compositons of this invention
are expected to exhibit anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activities,
broad spectrum antiinfective activity, e.g., antibacterial, anti-protozoal and antihelminthic
activities.
[0033] The present invention also provides a composition for treating or preventing fungal
infections comprising an antifungally effective amount of a compound represented by
formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier or diluent.
[0034] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may also contain a fungicidally
effective amount of other antifungal compounds such as cell wall active compound.
The term "cell wall active compound", as used herein, means any compound that interferes
with the fungal cell wall and includes, but is not limited to, compounds such as papulacandins,
echinocandins, and aculeacins as well as fungal cell wall inhibitors such as nikkomycins,
e.g, nikkomycin K and others which are described in USP 5,006,513 which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0035] The preferred pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts are nontoxic acid addition
salts formed by adding to the compounds of the present invention about a stoichiometric
amount of a mineral acid, such as HCl, HBr, H₂SO₄
, HNO₃ or H₃PO₄, or of an strongly ionized organic acid, such as trifluoro acetic,
trichloroacetic, para-toluene sulfonic, methanesulfonic, and the like.
[0036] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be adapted for oral,
parenteral, topical or vaginal administration They are formulated by combining the
compound of formula I or an equivalent amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt
of compound I with an suitable, inert, pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
[0037] Examples of suitable compositions include solid or liquid compositions for oral administration
such as tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, solutions, suppositories, suspensions
or emulsions. A solid carrier can be one or more substances which may also act as
diluents, flavoring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders or
tablet disintegrating agents; it can also be an encapsulating material. In powders,
the carrier is a finely divided solid which is in admixture with the finely divided
active compound. In the tablet, the active compound is mixed with carrier having the
necessary binding properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and
size desired.
[0038] Topical dosage forms may be prepared according to procedures well known in the art,
and may contain a variety of ingredients, excipients and additives. The formulations
for topical use include ointments, creams, lotions, powders, aerosols, pessaries and
sprays.
[0039] For preparing suppositories, a low melting wax such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides
or cocoa butter is first melted, and the active ingredients are dispersed homogeneously
therein as by stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture is then poured into convenient
sized molds, allowed to cool and thereby solidify.
[0040] Liquid form preparations include solutions, suspensions and emulsions. As an example
may be mentioned water or water-propylene glycol solutions for parenteral injection.
Liquid preparations can also be formulated in solution with an appropriate amount
of a hydroxypropyl α- β- or -γ-cyclodextrin having 2 to 11 hydroxypropyl groups per
molecule of cyclodextrin, polyethylene glycol, e.g., PEG-200 or propylene glycol,
which solutions may also contain water. Aqueous solutions suitable for oral use can
be prepared by adding the active component in water and adding suitable colorants,
flavors, stabilizing, sweetening, solubilizing and thickening agents as desired. Aqueous
suspensions suitable for oral use can be made by dispersing the active component in
finely divided form in water. A particularly preferred aqueous pharmaceutical composition
may be prepared from the compounds of formula I or IIa or IIb together with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin
in water. The use of derivatives of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins, for example, hydroxpropyl-β-cyclodextrin
are disclosed by N. Bodor USP 4,983,586, Pitha USP 4,727,064 and Janssen Pharmaceutical
International Patent Application No. PCT/EP 84/00417.
[0041] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be prepared by admixing
the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier e.g. a hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in water,
and adding thereto an antifungally effective amount of a drug of the present invention.
The solution so formed is filtered, and optionally, the water may be removed by well
known methods, e.g., rotatory evaporation or lyophilization. The formation of the
solution may take place at a temperature of about 15° to 35°C. The water is normally
sterilized water and may also contain pharmaceutically acceptable salts and buffers,
e.g., phosphate or citrate as well as preservatives. The molar ratio of the antifungal
compound of formula I to hydroxpropyl-β-cyclodextrin is about 1:1 to 1:80, preferably
1:1 to 1:2. Normally the hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is present in molar excess.
[0042] Also included are solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly
before use, into liquid form preparations for either oral or parenteral administration.
The solid form preparations intended to be converted to liquid form may contain, in
addition, to the active materials, such as compounds of this invention, and optionally
a cell wall active compound, especially a fungal cell wall inhibitor, e.g., a nikkomycin,
flavorants, colorants, stabilizers, buffers, artificial and natural sweeteners, dispersants,
thickeners, solubilizing agents and the like. The solvent utilized for preparing the
liquid form preparations may be water, isotonic water, ethanol, glycerin, polyethylene
glycols, propylene glycol, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.
[0043] Parenteral forms to be injected intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously
are usually in the form of a sterile solution, and may contain salts or glucose to
make the solution isotonic.
[0044] The topical dosage for humans for antifungal use in the form of a pharmaceutical
formulation comprising a compound of formula I (usually in the concentration in the
range from about 0.1% to about 20% preferably from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight)
together with a non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable topical carrier, is applied
daily to the affected skin until the condition has improved.
[0045] In general, the oral dosage for humans for antifungal use ranges from about 1 mg
per kilogram of body weight to about 50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, in
single or divided doses, with about 2 mg per kilogram of body weight to about 20 mg
per kilogram of body weight per day being preferred.
[0046] In general, the parenteral dosage for humans for antifungal use ranges from about
0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, to about 20 mg kilogram of body weight
per day, in single or divided doses, with about 1 to about 10 mg per kilogram of body
weight per day being preferred.
GENERAL EXPERIMENTAL
[0047]

EXAMPLE 1a
2-Acetyloxy-1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)ethanone
[0048] Add 191 g of 2-chloro-2',4'-difluoroacetophenone (Aldrich Chemical Co.) to a mixture
of 246 g of sodium acetate, 3 g of Nal, and 3 L of DMF. Stir the mixture at 20°C for
18 hr. then concentrate it to 1 L. Pour the residue into 6 L of cold dilute aqueous
HCl and extract with EtOAc. Wash the extract with brine, dry it over anhydrous Na₂SO₄,
filter the so-formed mixture, and evaporate the filtrate to leave a residue. Chromatograph
the residue on silica gel, eluting with CH₂Cl₂-hexane to obtain 198 g of the title
compound.

EXAMPLE 1b
1-[2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)]-2-propenol acetate
[0049] Suspend 131 g of MePh₃PBr in 270 mL of mechanically-stirred, dry THF at 20°C. Add
393 mL of 1
M NaN(Me₃Si)₂ in THF, slowly at first, then rapidly over 5 min. while applying just
enough ice cooling to maintain the temperature at < 23°C. Stir the so-formed mixture
for 1 hr at 20°-24°C, cool it to ∼-70°C, and stir it another 1/2 hr. Then add thereto
a solution of 65.5 g of the product of Example 1a in 140 mL of dry THF, at a rate
slow enough to keep the temperature below -70°C. Continue to stir the so-formed reaction
mixture in the cold bath overnight during which the temperature rises to 20°C. Add
50 mL of EtOAc to the so-formed suspension, and then add 3 L of hexane. Allow the
so-formed mixture to stand for ∼15 min., and suction-filter to remove Ph₃PO. While
the filter cake is still damp, transfer it to a beaker. Triturate the cake thoroughly
with 1/2 L of hexane and suction-filter again to remove the remainder of product.
Wash the combined hexane filtrates with 2 x 1 L of a 1:1 (v/v) MeOH-water, and then
with brine. Dry the organic layer over MgSO₄, filter and evaporate the filtrate to
leave a red oil. Add 1.5 L of hexane and suction-filter through a Celite pad to leave
a clear yellow solution. Chromatograph the yellow oil on silica gel, eluting with
1/2 L of hexane, then 1L of 15:1 (v/v) hexane-EtOAc. Combine the homogeneous fractions
to yield 38.6 g of the title compound as an oil.

EXAMPLE 1c
2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-propenol.
[0050] Dissolve 40 g of the product of Example 1b in 400 mL of dioxane. Add a solution of
18 g of 85% KOH in 315 mL of water. Stir the so-formed mixture vigorously for 1 hr,
and then pour the mixture into 1 L of Et₂O. Separate the aqueous layer and extract
it with 250 mL of Et₂O. Combine the organic extracts, and wash them with water and
then brine. Dry the organic extract over anhydrous K₂CO₃, and add 10 g of charcoal
thereto. Filter, and evaporate the filtrate to leave 31.3 g of the title compound
as a straw-colored oil.
EXAMPLE 1d
(S)-(-)-[2-[2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)]oxiranyl]methanol
[0051] Add 33g of activated 3Å molecular sieve powder to a solution of 13g of L-(+)-diethyl
tartarate in 2.3L of CH₂Cl₂, and cool the so-formed mixture to -5°C. Add a solution
of 15.4 mL of titanium
tetra-isopropoxide in 100 mL of CH₂Cl₂ over 2-3 minutes and then cool the so-formed mixture
to -22°C. Add 109.5 mL of a 5.5
M solution of
tert-butylhydroperoxide in 2,2,4-trimethylpentane over 4-6 minutes, and cool the so-formed
mixture to -25°C. Stir the mixture at -25°C for 25 minutes and then add a solution
of 40g of 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-propenol of Example 1c in 100 mL of CH₂Cl₂ over
3-4 minutes. Stir the so-formed mixture at -27°C for 4 1/2 hour. Add 102 mL of 30%
aqueous sodium hydroxide saturated with NaCl and stir the so-formed mixture while
warming to +10°C over a 1/2 hour period. Add thereto 100 g of anhydrous MgSO₄ and
33g of Celite, and stir 1/2 hour at +10°C. Suction-filter the mixture, wash the so-formed
filter cake with 1.2 L of diethyl ether (Et₂O) and then 1.5L of toluene, and dry the
combined organic layers over anhydrous MgSO₄. Filter the organic layer, and evaporate
the filtrate
in vacuo to form a residue. Dissolve the residue in 1L of Et₂O and suction-filter the mixture
to remove insolubles. Suction-filter the filtrate through 100g of silica gel, and
wash the pad with 200 mL of fresh Et₂O. Evaporate the filtrate
in vacuo to give 41g (94%) of the crude title compound as a yellowish oil, [α]

-36.7° (c=l, MeOH); PMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.40(m, 1H), 6.85(m, 2H), 3.95(m,2H), 3.31(d,1H),
2.84 (d,1H), 1.91(m,1H, deuterium exchangeable).
EXAMPLE 2
(R)-(+)-[2-[2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)]oxiranyl]methanol
[0052] Follow the procedure of Example 1d, except substitute an equivalent amount of D-(-)
diethyl tartarate in place of L-(+) diethyl tartarate to give the crude title compound,
[α]

+ 33.9° (c=l, MeOH).
[0053] Purify a portion of the crude compound by silica gel chromatography to obtain a sample
homogeneous by TLC, [α]

+ 40.0° (c=l, MeOH)
EXAMPLE 3
(R)-(-)-2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-1,2-propanediol
[0054] Dissolve 8.91g of 1
H-1,2,4-triazole in 150 mL of anhydrous DMF and cool to 0-5°C. Add 2.81g of sodium
hydride (60% oil dispersion) and stir the so-formed mixture 30 minutes at room temperature.
Add thereto 10.9 g of the product of Example 1d. Stir the so-formed reaction mixture
for 2 hours at 60-70°C. Cool the mixture to room temperature, add thereto 10 ml of
H₂O and evaporate it
in vacuo to give a residue. Dissolve the residue in 100 mL of H₂O and 900 ml of ethyl acetate
(EtOAc). Extract the H₂O layer with another 250 mL of EtOAc. Wash the combined EtOAc
extracts with 100 mL of brine. Dry the EtOAc extracts over anhydrous MgSO₄ and evaporate.
Triturate the so-formed oily residue with 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and add 100 mL of Et₂O.
Stir the CH₂Cl₂-Et₂O mixture for 1 hour at room temperature. Filter to give 11.2g
(75%) of the title compound, [α]

- 70.7 (C=10, MeOH), mass spectrum (FAB): 256 (M+H
⊕). Recrystallize 1.0g of the filtered product from 5 mL of CH₃CN to give 0.83g of
the title compound, m.p. 99-100°C; [α]

- 71.5° (C=1.0, MeOH); elemental analysis:
Calculated for C₁₁H₁₁F₂N₃O₂1/2CH₃CN; 52.27C, 4.57H, 17.78N, 13.78F;
Found: 52.26C, 4.58H, 17.54N, 13.78F; PMR(DMSO) δ 8.25 (s,1), 7.66(s,1), 7.33, (m,1), 7.09(t,1),
6.90(t,1), 5.72(s,1), 5.05(t,1), 4.53(s,2), 3.61(m,2).
EXAMPLE 4
(S)-(+)-2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-1,2-propanediol
[0055] Follow the procedure of Example 3, except substitute an equivalent quantity of the
product of Example 2 in place of the product of example 1 to give the title compound;
MP. 95-101°C; [α]

+ 70.0° (c=1.0, MeOH). The PMR and Mass spectra were consistent with the structure
of the title compound.
EXAMPLE 5
(R)-2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-1,2propanediol-1-methanesulfonate
[0056] Suspend 10.9 g of the powdered product of Example 3 in 150 mL of CH₂Cl₂. Add thereto
8.95 mL of triethylamine and cool to the so-formed mixture 0-5°C. Add 3.64 mL of methanesulfonyl
chloride in 20 ml of CH₂Cl₂ over 10 min. Stir the so-formed mixture for 1 hour at
room temperature. Cool it to 0-5°C, extract with 100 mL of cold (0-5°C) 5% KH₂PO₄,
followed by 100 mL of cold (0-5°C) H₂O, followed by 50 mL of brine. Dry the separated
organic layer over anhydrous MgSO₄ and evaporate to obtain 13.7 g (96%) of the title
compound. Mass spectrum (FAB): 333 (M+H⁺); PMR (CDCl₃) δ 7.95 (s,1), 7.82 (s,1), 7.53(m,1),
6.81(m,2), 4.84(d,1), 4.65(d,1), 4.46(m,2), 3.05(s,3).
EXAMPLE 6
(S)-2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-1,2-propanediol-1-methanesulfonate
[0057] Follow the procedure of Example 5, except substitute an equivalent quantity of the
product of Example 4 in place of the product of example 3 to give the title compound
. The PMR is consistent with the structure of the title compound.
EXAMPLE 7
(R)-1-[2-[2-[2,4-Difluorophenyl)]oxiranylmethyl]-1,2,4-triazole
[0058] Dissolve 13.7g of the product of Example 5 in 200 mL of anhydrous DMF and cool the
so-formed solution to 10-15°C. Add thereto 1.71g of sodium hydride (60% oil dispersion)
and stir the so-formed reaction mixture at room temperature for 90 minutes. Concentrate
in vacuo to 50 mL. Add thereto 200 mL of cold H₂O (0-5°C) and extract with 3 x200 mL portions
of EtOAc. Wash the combined EtOAc extracts with 100 mL of brine. Dry the EtOAc extracts
over anhydrous MgSO₄ and evaporate it to give 10.8g of a residue. Apply the residue
in CH₂Cl₂ to a column of 400 g of MPLC grade silicon gel previously prepared by slurry
packing with CH₂Cl₂ containing 1 mL of Et₃N per liter. Elute with 1 liter, each of
25, 50 and 75% EtOAc; CH₂Cl₂ (v/v) followed by 2 liters of EtOAc. Combine the fractions
to give 6.92g (68%) of the title compound. Mass spectrum (FAB): 238 (M+H⁺); PMR (CDCl₃)
δ 7.97(s,1), 7.77(s,1), 7.07(m,1), 6.73(m,2); 4.73(d,1), 4.41(d,1), 2.84(d,1), 2.78(d,1).
EXAMPLE 8
(S)-1-[2-[2-(2,4-difluorophenyl]oxiranylmethyl]-1,2,4-triazole
[0059] Follow the procedure of Example 7, except substitute an equivalent amount of the
product of Example 6 in place of the product of Example 5 to give the title compound.
[PMR is consistent with the structure of the title compound].
EXAMPLE 9
Ethyl(5R-cis)-, and (5R-trans)-5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-oxo-5-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]tetrahydro-3-furancarboxylate
[0060] Dissolve 9.35 mL of diethyl malonate in 70 mL of anhydrous DMSO. Add 2.24g of sodium
hydride (60% oil dispersion) in 2 portions and stir the so-formed reaction mixture
at room temperature for 1 hour. Add 6.65 g of the product of Example 7 and stir 18
hours at 50-55°C. Cool to room temperature and pour the reaction mixture into a well-stirred
mixture of 500 mL of KH₂PO₄, 500 mL of brine, and 1 liter of EtOAc. Separate and extract
the H₂O layer with another 300 mL of EtOAc. Wash the combined EtOAc extracts with
500 mL of brine, Dry the EtOAc extracts over anhydrous MgSO₄ and evaporate to give
an oil. Apply the oil with CH₂Cl₂ to a column of 400 g MPLC grade silica gel prepared
with hexane. Elute with 500 mL of hexane, followed by 2 liters of 50% EtOAc: hexane
(v/v), followed by 2 liters of EtOAc. Combine fractions to give 8.66g (80%) of the
title compound. Mass spectrum (FAB): 352(M+H
⊕), PMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.08(s,2), 7.91(s,1), 7.71(s,1), 7.42(m,1), 7.13(m,1), 7.85(m,2),
4.60(m,4), 4.10(m,4), 3.49(t,1), 3.14(t,1), 3.89(m,4), 1.18(m,6).
EXAMPLE 10
Ethyl(5S-cis), and (5S-trans)-5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-oxo-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]tetrahydro-3-furancarboxylate
[0061] Follow the procedure of Example 9, except substitute an equivalent amount of the
product of Example 8 in place of the product of Example 7 to give the title compound.
[PMR is consistent with the structure of the title compound].
EXAMPLE 11
(R)-(-)-4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-5-[1H-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)]-1,4-pentanediol
[0062] Dissolve 8.5 g of the product of Example 9 in 125 mL of EtOH and add 2.15 g of LiCl.
Cool the stirred mixture to 0°C and add 1.92 g of NaBH₄ in portions. Stir the mixture
for 18 hr without further cooling. Add 125 mL of MeOH and 10 mL of H₂O to the mixture
and stir for 4 hr. Evaporate the mixture to dryness and extract the precipitate with
warm EtOH. Evaporate the extract to dryness, add 200 mL of THF to the residue, and
sonicate the stirred mixture for 15 min. Filter the mixture and evaporate the filtrate.
Chromatograph the residue on silica gel, eluting with CH₂Cl₂-MeOH-NH₄OH (95:5:1) v/v/v)
to obtain 3.9 g of the title compound. Mass spectrum (FAB): 314 (M+H⁺); PMR (DMSO)
δ 8.25(s,1), 7.69(s,1), 7.35(m,1), 7.13(m,1), 6.94(m,1), 6.27(s,1), 5.16(t,1), 4.44(m,4),
3.39(m,1), 3.20(m,1), 3.05(t,2), 2.11(m,1), 1.52(m,1).
EXAMPLE 12
(S)-(+)-4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-5-[1H-(1,2,4-triazolyl)]-1,4-pentanediol
[0063] Follow the procedure of Example 11, except substitute an equivalent amount of the
product of Example 10 in place of the product of Example 9 to give the title compound.
Chromatograph a portion of the crude product on silica gel eluting with CH₂Cl₂-MeOH-NH₄OH
to give a product homogeneous by TLC. Dissolve the material in H₂O and filter, and
lyophilize the filtrate to give the title compound. [α]

+ 54.5 (c=1.0, MeOH)
EXAMPLE 13
(R)-(-)-4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-[[(4-methylphenyl)-sulfonyloxy]methyl]-5-[1H-(1,2,4-triazolyl)]-1,4-pentanediol-1-(4-methylbenzene)sulfonate
[0064] Dissolve 4.4g of the product of Example 11 in 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂-THF (1:1, v/v). Add
4.7 mL of Et₃N and 180 mg of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, and cool the solution to 0°C.
Add thereto 5.9 g of
p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in portions and stir the so-formed reaction mixture at 0°C
for 1/2 hour, and then stir it at room temperature for 5 hours. Add 100 mL of EtOAc
and suction-filter the mixture. Concentrate the filtrate; add thereto 150 mL of EtOAc,
and wash with 5% aqueous KH₂PO₄. Wash the organic layer with cold aqueous 5% NaHCO₃,
then with saturated brine, and then dry it over anhydrous MgSO₄. Filter the mixture,
and evaporate the filtrate. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel, eluting with
EtOAC-hexane to give 6.4 g (73%) of the title compound, PMR (CDCl₃ ) δ 7.95(s,1),
7.67(m,5), 7.30(m,6) 6.70(t,2), 4.74(d,1), 4.53(d,1), 4.13(m,1), 3.97(m,1), 3.8(m,2),
2.43(s,6), 1.95(m,2), 1.77(m,1). Mass spectrum (FAB): 622 (M+H⁺).
EXAMPLE 14
(S)-(+)-4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-[[(4-methylphenyl)-sulfonyloxy]methyl]-5-[1H-(1,2,4-triazolyl]-1,4-pentanediol-1(4-methylbenzene)sulfonate
[0065] Follow the procedure of Example 13 except substitute an equivalent amount of the
product of Example 12 in place of the product of Example 11 to obtain the title compound,
[α]

+ 14.2° (c=1, MeOH).
EXAMPLE 15
(-)-(5R-cis)-5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-tetrahydro-3-furanmethanol,4-toluenesulphonate
[0066] Dissolve 6.3g of the product of Example 13 in 150 mL of toluene and heat the so-formed
solution to 100°C. Add 2.4g of 60% NaH dispersion in oil portionwise, and then heat
the so-formed reaction mixture at reflux until cyclization is complete (approx. 3-4
hours). Cool the mixture and decant the solution from excess NaH. Wash the solution
with cold 5% aqueous KH₂PO₄. Evaporate the organic layer to form a residue and chromatograph
the residue on silica gel, eluting with acetone-hexane to obtain 1.6g (35%) of the
title compound as the less polar of the two products, [α]

- 39.4°(c=1, CHCl₃); PMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.09 (s,1), 7.88 (m,3), 7.31 (m,3), 6.81(m,2),
4.52(ABq,2), 3.99(m,1), 3.85(m,1), 3.70(m,1), 3.59(m,1), 2.49(m,2), 2.47(s,3), 1.90(m,1).
Mass spectrum (FAB): 450 (M+H⁺).
EXAMPLE 16
(+)-(5S-cis)-5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-tetrahydro-3-furanmethanol,4-toluenesulphonate
[0067] Follow the procedure of Example 15, except substitute an equivalent amount of the
product of Example 14 in place of the product of Example 13 to give the title compound,
[α]

+ 40.3° (c=0.3, CHCl₃), mp 96-98°C.
EXAMPLE 17
S-(+)-2-Butanol tosylate
[0068] Dissolve 57.07 g of S-(+)-2-butanol in 600 mL of dry pyridine. Cool to 0°-5°C. Add
thereto 161.44 g of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, portionwise, at 0°-5°C with stirring
and under dry N₂. Stir the so-formed mixture at 0°-5°C for two days. Evaporate the
pyridine at 30°-35°C under high vacuum. Dissolve the so-formed residue in 1 L of Et₂O
ether and 750 mL of H₂O. Wash the organic layer with 1NHCl, then with 5% Na₂CO₃, and
then with saturated brine. Dry the organic layer over anhydrous MgSO₄. Filter the
mixture and evaporate the filtrate to give 174g (99%) of the title compound, [α]

= + 10.53° (c=1, MeOH).
EXAMPLE 18
R-(-)-2-Butanol tosylate
[0069] Follow the procedure of Example 17, except substitute an equivalent quantity of R-(-)-2-butanol
in place of S-(+)-2-butanol to obtain the title compound. [α]

- 11.97° (C=1, MeOH).
EXAMPLE 19
R(-)-2,4-Dihydro-4-[4-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-phenyl]-2-(1-methylpropyl)-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-one
[0070] Dissolve 18.9 g of the product of Example 17 in 450 mL of dry DMSO. Add 22.5 g of
2,4-dihyro-4-[4-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-3
H-1,2,4-triazole-3-one prepared as described by J. Heeres
et al J. Med Chem (1984)
27, 894-900 followed by 5.3 g of powdered KOH. Stir the so-formed suspension at room
temperature and under dry N₂ for 4 days. Pour the suspension into 4.5 liter of ice-water.
Filter the so-formed precipitate and wash it with H₂O. Chromatograph the residue on
silica gel, eluting with CH₂Cl₂-acetone to give 9.79 g (36%) of the title compound,
[α]

- 5.56° (c=1, CHCl₃).
EXAMPLE 20
(S(+)-2,4-Dihydro-4-[4-[4-[4-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-phenyl]-2-(1-methylpropyl)-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-one
and the 2-(1-methylethyl) and 2-(1-methylbutyl)-substituted 3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-one
analogs thereof
[0071] Follow the procedure of Example 19 except substitute an equivalent quantity of the
compound of column A (Example 18) below in place of S-(+)-2-butanol tosylate to obtain
the product in column B below.

EXAMPLE 21
R-(-)-2,4-Dihydro-4-[4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)]-1-piperazinyl]-phenyl]-2-(1-methylpropyl)-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-one.
[0072] Suspend 9.7 of the product of Example 19 in 150 mL of aqueous 48% HBr solution. Reflux
the so-formed mixture overnight. Cool the reaction mixture until a precipitate is
formed. Add the so-formed slurry slowly to a saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution. Filter
the precipitate and wash with EtOAc-hexane. Recrystalize the filtered solid from CH₃CN
to give 7.3g (78%) of the title compound, [α]

- 5.29° (c=1, CHCl₃).
EXAMPLE 22
Follow the procedure of Example 21 except substitute an equivalent quantity of the
appropriate product of Example 20 in place of the product of Example 19 to obtain
the corresponding demethylated products as shown below:
[0073]

EXAMPLE 23
(-)-[(5R)-cis]-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy]phenyl[-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-2,4-dihydro-2-[(1R)-(1-methylpropyl)]-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one.
[0074] Dissolve 2.9g of the product of Example 21 in 70 mL of dry DMSO. Add thereto 0.32g
of a 60% NaH dispersion in oil, heat the so-formed reaction mixture to 60°C, and stir
for 30 minutes. Add 3.3g of the product of Example 15; heat the so-formed reaction
mixture to 80°C, and stir for 45 minutes. Pour the hot mixture into 700 mL of ice-water
containing 1/2g of K₂CO₃. Stir for 10 minutes, then suction-filter, and dry the so-formed
precipitate. Dissolve the precipitate in CH₂Cl₂ and chromatograph the so-formed solution
on silica gel, eluting with acetone-CH₂Cl₂ to give 4.18g (85%), [α]

- 28.3° (c=1, CHCl₃); PMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.13(s,1), 7.81(s,1), 7.63(s,1), 7.40(m,3), 7.05(d,2),
6.95-6.75(m,7), 4.66(d,1), 4.52(d,1), 4.30(m,1), 4.12(t,1), 3.78(m,1), 3.70(m,1),
3.62(m,1), 3.37(m,4), 3.22(m,4), 2.60(m,2), 2.09(q,1), 1.86(m,1), 1.73(m,1), 1.40(d,3),
0.91(t,3). Mass spectrum (FAB): 669 (M+H⁺).
EXAMPLE 24
(-)-[(5R)-cis]-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-2,4-dihydro-2-[(1S)-(1-methylpropyl)]-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one
[0075] Follow the procedure of Example 23 except substitute an equivalent quantity of the
product of Example 22.1 in place of the product of Example 21 to obtain the title
compound, [α]

- 22.2° (c=l, CHCl₃).
EXAMPLE 25
(+)-[(5S)-cis]-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-2,4-dihydro-2-[(1S)-(1-methylpropyl)]-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one
[0076] Follow the procedure of Example 24 except substitute an equivalent quantity of the
product of Example 16 in place of the product of Example 15 to obtain the title compound,
[α]

+ 30.3° (c=l, CHCl₃); Calculated for C₃₆H₄₀F₂N₈O₃: C, 64.46; H, 6.01; N, 16.71; Found:
C, 64.48; H, 5.96; N, 15.57.
EXAMPLE 26
(+)-[(5S)-cis]-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-2,4-dihydro-2-[(1R)-(1-methylpropyl)]-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one
[0077] Follow the procedure of Example 23, except substitute an equivalent quantity of the
product of Example 16 in place of the product of Example 15 to obtain the title compound,
[α]

+ 22.4° (C=1, CHCl₃). Calculated for C₃₆H₄₀F₂N₈O₃: C, 64.46; H, 6.01 ; N, 16.71;
Found: C, 64.47; H, 5.97; N, 16.56.
EXAMPLE 27
[0078]

[0079] (R)-Series "cis-Tosylate" of Example 15
[0080] Follow the procedure of Example 23 except for the product of Example 21 substitute
an equivalent quantity of one of the following six alcohols, HOY:
1.

·Commercial Source: Aldrich 4-(1H-1,2,4-Triazol-1-yl)phenol
2.

·Prepared according to the procedure of European Patent App. 0173258 4-(Tetrahydro-4H-1,4-thiazin-4-yl)phenol
3.

·Prepared according to the procedure of European Patent App. 0173258; 4-(Tetrahydro-4H-1,4-thiazin-4-yl-4,4-dioxide)phenol
4.

·See Example 22.2; 2,4-Dihydro-4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)]-1-piperazinyl]-phenyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one
5.

·See Example 22.3; 2,4-Dihydro-4-[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)]-1-piperazinyl]-phenyl]-2-(1-ethylpropyl)-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one
6.

Prepared by reaction of:

(available from Aldrich) with either R-(-) or S-(+)-2-Butanol tosylate according
to Examples 19 to 22
7.

Examples 28 and 29
[0081] After the appropriate purification steps, there is produced a compound of formula
[I] wherein X = F
- Y=
-

- R'=
-

and
Z = H, or (C₁-C₅) alkanoyl and the carbons with the asterisks(*) have the R or S
absolute configuration.
[0082] Compounds of formula [I] wherein X = Cl may be prepared by use of the corresponding
dichloro compound of Example 15. Compound wherein one X is F and the other is Cl may
be prepared by use of the appropriate dihalophenyl compound.
EXAMPLE 28
[0083]

[0084] 4-[3-(1-Methylethyl)amino]pyrrolidin-1-yl]phenol was prepared by the following Synthetic Scheme and Procedures A→C
Synthetic Scheme:
[0085]

PROCEDURES
STEP A
[0086] A mixture of 4-aminophenol 1 (10.9g) and dimethyl itaconate
2 (15.8g) was heated (with stirring) at 180-195°C for 4 hours with continuous removal
of methanol with a Dean Stark apparatus. The reaction mixture was cooled, dissolved
in methanol (∼50 ml) and poured into CH₂Cl₂ (1L). The organic solution was extracted
with distilled water (∼500 ml). An insoluble gum formed during the extraction, was
removed by decantation. The CH₂Cl₂ phase was dried over MgSO₄ (anhydrous) and evaporated
in-vacuo to dryness to provide the crude product
3 (16.1g) which was purified by chromatography over silica gel using 1% MeOH-CH₂Cl₂
(v/v) as eluent. The progress of chromatography was followed by TLC using 5% MeOH-CH₂Cl₂
(v/v) as eluent. The pure fractions were combined and evaporated to dryness
in-vacuo to provide 11.4g of pure
3. Molecular formula: C₁₂H₁₃NO₄ (M+ 235.7).
STEP B
[0087] A solution of
3 (5.8g) from Example 28A in methanol (100 mL) was treated with
iso-propylamine (50 mL) and the so-formed mixture refluxed for 2 days. TLC of the reaction
mixture showed the unchanged
3 still present; the reaction mixture was refluxed for 2 more days. The reaction mixture
was evaporated to dryness
in vacuo to provide crude
4 which was chromatographed on silica gel. Elution with 2% MeOH-CH₂Cl₂ (v/v) (containing
conc. NH₄OH, 2mL per liter of solution) provided in some fractions, pure
4 (4.98g). Mol. Formula: C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₃ (M⁺ 262.2)
STEP C
[0088] A suspension of
4 (6.9g) from Example 28B in THF (150 mL; Aldrich Gold Label) was treated with stirring
by dropwise addition of 1M LiALH₄, (53.2 mL) over 10 minutes. After stirring at room
temperature for 10 minutes, the reaction mixture was refluxed for ∼12 hours. The so-formed
reaction mixture is cooled and THF (250 mL) was added followed by dropwise addition
of water (25 mL) over 10 minutes. The resulting suspension was removed by filtration
through celite to form a filter cake which was washed with THF. The combined filtrates
and washings were evaporated
in-vacuo to dryness to provide crude
5 which was chromatographed on silica gel. The column was eluted with 1.5% MeOH-CH₂Cl₂
(v/v) (containing 1.5 mL concentration NH₄OH per liter of solution) followed by 2.5%
MeOH-CH₂Cl₂ (containing 2.5 mL concentration NH₄OH per liter of solution). The fractions
containing the desired product were combined and evaporated
in-vacuo to dryness to provide 4.6g of pure
5. Molecular Formula: C₁₄H₂₂N₂O (M⁺234.3)
EXAMPLE 29
[0089]

(5R-cis)-1-[4-[[5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-5-[(1-H-1,2,4-triazol-1 -yl)methyl]-3-furanyl]methoxy]phenyl]-N-(1-methylethyl)-3-pyrrolidinamine
[0090] A solution of 4-[3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]pyrrolidin-1-yl]phenol of Example 28 (1.02g)
in dry DMSO (20 mL; Aldrich Gold Label) was treated with sodium hydride (174 mgs)
under argon atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at 50°C for 20 minutes followed by
addition of a solution of the product of Example 15 (1.95g) in dry DMSO (20 mL). The
so-formed reaction mixture was stirred at 80-90°C for 90 minutes, cooled and poured
into EtoAc (500 mL). The organic phase was washed with water (500 mL) and brine (250
mL) the ethyl acetate solution was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and evaporated
in-vacuo to dryness to provide crude title compound (2.34g) which was chromatographed over
silica gel using 1% MeOH-CH₂Cl₂ (containing 1 mL of concentrated NH₄OH per 1L solution)
as eluent. Fractions containing the desired compound were combined and evaporated
in-vacuo to dryness to provide pure title compound (1.6g).
Molecular Formula C₂₆H₃₅F₂N₅O₂ (M⁺511.6)
EXAMPLE 30
[0091]

(5R-cis)-N-[1-[4-[[5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)tetrahydro-5-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-3-furanyl]methoxy]phenyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]methyl]-N-(1-methylethyl)acetamide
[0092] A solution of the product from Example 29 (554 mg) in methanol (5 mL) was treated
with acetic anhydride (under argon). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature
overnight; methylene chloride (50 mL) was added followed by water (50 mL) and 10%
Na₂CO₃ (5 mL). After stirring for ∼5 minutes, the aqueous layer was separated and
the CH₂Cl₂ layer was washed with water (50 mL). The CH₂Cl₂ phase was then dried over
anhydrous MgSO₄ and evaporated
in-vacuo to dryness to provide the crude title compound (550 mgs). Chromatography of the crude
product over silica gel using 1% MeOH-CH₂Cl₂ (containing 1 mL of concentrated NH₄OH
per 1L of solution as eluant) provides in some fractions, pure title compound (340
mg); Molecular Formula C₃₀H₃₇F₂N₅O₃; (M⁺553.6).
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 31
[0093] The
in vivo oral antifungal activity of the compounds of Example 23-26 were compared to those
of itraconazole, fluconazole and saperconazole in an
Aspergillus pulmonary infection model in mice. The procedure of David Loebenberg
et al. entitled "Sch 42427, The Active Enantiomer of Antifungal agent Sch 39304:
In Vitro and
In Vivo Activity" Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (1992),
36 498-501 was used. The
Aspergillus flavus pulmonary model was run in the following manner Male, CF-1 mice weighing 20 grams
were compromised with cortisone acetate (100 mg/kg), administered subcutaneously,
once daily for 3 days. In addition, to prevent bacterial disease, tetracycline HCL
(300 mg/1) was added to the drinking water and given ad libitum. On day 2 of compromising,
mice were infected in an inhalation chamber, first described by Piggot and Emmons
in 1960 and modified by us. The chamber is a 1 liter pyrex, thick-walled flask with
8 tubular side-arms that extend into the flask. Each side-arm is a pyrex tube of 14
cm length, constricted to a 1 cm opening inside the flask. The bottom of the flask
was covered with a malt extract agar medium on which a sporulating culture of
A. flavus ATCC 24133 was grown for 13 days at room temperature. The top of the flask was closed
with a #10 stopper through which passed a glass tube attached by rubber tubing to
a 60 mL syringe. Mice were placed in each of the side arms and pushed to the bottoms
so that their nares extended beyond the open end of the tube and over the agar. Cotton
plugs were then inserted behind the mice to hold them in place. By pumping the 60
mL syringe twice, air was forced over the culture and produced a cloud of spores.
Mice were exposed to the spore cloud for one minute. Within 15-30 minutes after exposure,
a number of mice were sacrificed and lung tissue samples homogenized for culture to
determine the number of inhaled conidia. Oral treatment began 24 h post-infection
with doses of 5 to 250 mg of drug/kg in ethanol; vehicle (115 ml of Emulphor EL-719P,
GAF Wayne, NJ; and 5 ml of 20% w/v lactic acid per liter of water), 10:90 v/v, once
daily for 4 days.
[0094] The compounds of this invention of formula IIa (Example 23) and II (b) (Example 24)
were more active orally in the
Aspergillus pulmonary model than itraconazole, saperconazole and fluconazole. The results are
graphically displayed in Figure 1 for 100 mg of drug per kg of body weight of compromised
mice infected by inhalation of
Aspergillus flavus spores.

EXAMPLE 32
[0095] (2RS)-(±)cis-1-[4-[[2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-[(1
H,1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl]tetrahydro-4-furanyl]methoxy]phenyl]-4-(1-methylethyl)piperazine
prepared in accordance with Example 68 of PCT/US88/03987 and USP 5,039,676 as well
as the R-(-) and S(+) enantiomers thereof were tested for antifungal activity. The
R(-) and S(+) enantiomers were separated by use of preparative HPLC on a Chiralcel
(5x50 in ID) preparative column equilibrated with 70:30 (v/v) hexane: ethanol; elution
was done with 70:30 to 50:50 v/v hexane: ethanol. The R(-) enantiomer of the compound
of Example 68 was more active orally in a mouse
Candida infection model performed in accordance with the procedure of described hereinbelow
in Example 33 than the S-(+) enantiomer. The R(-) enantiomer of this Example was found
inactive in the
in vivo oral mouse
Aspergillus lung infection described in Example 31.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 33
[0096] The compounds of Examples 23-26 and itraconazole, fluconazole, and saperconazole
were tested for
in vivo oral antifungal activity in a
Candida systemic model using CF1 male mice , average weight 20 g, Harlan Sprague Dawley,
Inc., Indianapolis, Ind. infected by IV injection into the tail vein of
C. albicans C-43 (5 million CFUs). The drugs were dissolved in polyethylene glycol-200 (PEG-200)
and tested by orally administering 50, 25 and 10 mpk of each drug 4 hours post infection
and once daily for 3 more days. Oral efficacy was measured after four (4) days by
percent survival and by the number of organisms remaining in the kidneys i.e., the
Colony Forming Units (CFUs). The mice were sacrificed and the kidneys of individual
mice were homogenized in sterile saline, diluted and spread onto Mycosel agar. Colony
counts were determined after 48 hours at 37°C. For calculation of geometric means,
mice that died during the experiment were considered to have 10⁹ CFUs/kidneys (based
on numerous previous experiments). The preferred compounds of this invention of Example
23 (formula II a) and Example 24 (IIb) were more active orally in this model than
itraconazole at doses of 50, 25 and 10 mpk in (each dissolved in PEG-200). The results
are summarized in Table II

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 34
[0097] The procedure of Example 31 was used to compare the
in vivo oral antifungal activity of (±)-5R/S-(cis)-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-difluorophenyI)-5-(1
H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]methoxy-phenyl-1-piperazinyl]phenyl]-2,4-dihydro-2[(R/S)-(1-methylpropyl)]-3
H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one with (±)-2R/S-(cis)-1-[4-[[2-(2,4-difluorophenyI)-2-(1
H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) tetrahydro-4-furanyl]methoxy]phenyl]-4-(1-methylethyl)piperazine
of Example 68 of USP 5,039,676 in an
Aspergillus pulmonary infection model described in Example 31. As shown in Table III, the compound
of Example 68 of US Patent 5,039,676 was inactive in this animal model.

(prepared in accordance with the procedure of J. Heeres
et al. J. Med Chem (1984),
27, 894-900) in the presence of NaH in dry DMSO at 50°C for 30 min. The reaction mixture
was stirred at 80°-90°C for 1 hr and poured into CH₂Cl₂ and EtOAc and brine. The organic
layers were separated, washed with water and brine and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent
was evaported to give a crude product which was purified by silica gel chromatograph
to give (±) 5RS (cis)-4-[4-[4-[4-[[5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(1
H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) tetrahydrofuran3-yl]methoxy]phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]-2,4-dihydro-2[(RS)-(1-methylpropyl)]-3
H- 1,2,4-triazol-3-one.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 35
[0098] The procedures of Examples 31 and 34 were used.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 36
[0099] The compounds of Examples 23-24 and itraconazole, fluconazole, were tested for
in vivo oral antifungal anctivity in a
Candida systemic model using normal and compromised CF1 mice infected with
C. albicans C-65 (5 million CFUs). The procedure of Example 33 was followed. The drugs were dissolved
in polyethylene glycol-200 ("PEG-200) at room temperature and tested by orally administering
100, 50, 25, 10 and 1 mpk of each drug. Oral efficacy was measured by percent survival
and by the number of organisms remaining in the kidneys (CFUs) after four days. The
preferred compounds of this invention of Example 23 (formula IIa) and Example 24 (IIb)
were more active orally in this model than itraconazole at doses of 50 and 25 mpk;
each drug was dissolved in PEG-200. The pharmaceutical composition of the preferred
compound of formula IIb of Eample 24 in hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin ("HPβCD")
having 7.4 hydroxypropyl groups per HPβCD (obtained from Pharmatec, Inc., Alachua,
FL 32615) was prepared by admixing the appropriate amount of the compound IIa with
a 40% (w/v) solution of HPβCD (4 g of HPβCD per 10 mL of purified water). Gentle heating
was used to form a clear solution. For the 10 mpk dose, 12 mg of IIa was added to
6 mL of a 40% w/v solution of HPβCD. For dilutions, sterile water was added to the
solution with mixing. The pharmaceutical composition of itraconazole and the Pharmatec
HPβCD described above was prepared as follows. Propylene glycol (10 mL) was admixed
with 0.95 mL of concentrated HCl at 40°-45°C with stirring. Itraconazole (2.5 g) was
added thereto and stirring was continued until homogeneous. The mixture so formed
was cooled to 20° to 30°C and admixed with a solution of 60 g of HPβCD in 40 mL of
purified water to form a clear solution. The pH was adjusted to a value of 1.9-2.1
with 10
N NaOH and sufficient purified water added (with mixing) to a final volume of 100 mL.
For dilutions, sterile water was added to the itraconazole - HPβCD. The pharmaceutical
composition of the compound of formula IIb and HPβCD was more active orally in the
Candida systemic model in normal mice at 1 mpk and in compromised mice at 10 mpk than the
pharmaceutical composition of itraconazole and HPβCD. The results are summarized in
Table V.

EXAMPLE: 37
[2R,4R]-4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxymethyl-5-[1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)]-1,4-pentanediol-1-acetate
[0100] Combine 2g of the product of Example 11 and 5g of porcine pancreatic lipase (Sigma
Chemical Co., L3126) in 100 mL of EtOAc. Stir the mixture at ambient temperature for
24 hrs, and filter the mixture. Evaporate the solvent and chromatograph the residue
on silica gel, eluting with 9:1 EtOAc-acetone to give 1.1g of the title compound:
PMR(CDCl₃) δ 7.94 (s, 1), 7.80 (s, 1), 7.48 (m, 1), 6.78 (m, 2), 4.72 (d, 1), 4.3
(d, 1), 4.12 (m, 2), 3.39 (m, 2), 2.2-1.8 (m, 6).
EXAMPLE: 38
[2R,4R]-4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-[(2-tetrahydropyranyl)oxymethyl]-5-[1H-(1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)]-l,4-pentanediol-1-acetate.
[0101] Dissolve 1g of the product of Example 37 in 30 mL of CH₂Cl₂, add 5 mL of dihydropyran
and 0.7g of pyridinium p-toluene sulfonate, and stir the solution for 18 hrs. Wash
the solution with water, dry the organic layer over anhydrous Mg SO₄, and filter the
mixture. Evaporate the filtrate and chromatograph the residue on silica gel. Elute
with 9:1 EtOAc-acetone to give 0.9g of the title compound.
PMR (CDCl₃ δ 8.03 and 8.01 (2 X s, 1), 7.83 (s, 1), 7.5 (mc 1), 6.8 (m, 2), 4.41 (d,
1), 4.55-4.30 (m, 2), 4.12 (m, 2), 3.9-3.4 (m, 3), 3.11 (m, 1) 2.3-1.4 (m, 12).
EXAMPLE: 39
[2S,4R]-4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-[(2-tetrahydropyranyl)oxymethyl]-5-[1H-(1,2,4-triazol-l-yl]-1,4-pentanediol
[0102] Combine 0.9g of the product of Example 38, 60 mL of THF, and 20 mL of IN aqueous
KOH. Stir the mixture for 18 hrs, pour it into Et₂O, and dry the organic layer over
anhydrous MgSO₄. Filter the mixture, evaporate the filtrate, and chromatograph the
residue on silica gel. Elute with 95:5 EtOAc-acetone to give 0.5g of the title compound:
PMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.12 and 8.10 (2 X s 1), 7.89 9s, 1) 7.55 (m, 1), 6.8 (m, 2), 4.54 (s,
2), 4.43 (m, 1), 3.7 (m, 2), 3.5 (m, 3), 3.15 (m, 1), 2.4 (m, 1), 1.9-1.4 (m, 8).
EXAMPLE: 40
[2R,4R]-4-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2[(2-tetrahydropyranyl) oxymethyl]-5-[1H-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]-1,4-pentanediol,
1-[(4-methylphenyl) sulfonate
[0103] Dissolve 0.5g of the product of Example 39 in 20 mL of THF. Add 0.05g of N,N-dimethylamino
pyridine, 0.3 mL of Et₃N, and then 0.26g of [(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl] chloride. Stir
the mixture at ambient temperature for 18 hrs, and then filter the mixture. Evaporate
the solution and chromatograph the residue on silica gel. Elute with 95:5 EtOAc-acetone
to give 0.55g of the title compound (which was used in the following step without
further purification or characterization).
EXAMPLE: 41
(-)-(5R-(cis)-5-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-5-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)methyl]tetrahydro-3-furanmethanol
[0104] Dissolve 0.55g of the product of Example 40 in 20 mL of THF and add 80 mg of 60%
NaH dispersion in oil. Stir the mixture at ambient temperature for 1 hr, and then
pour it into water. Extract the mixture with EtOAc, dry the extract over anhydrous
MgSO₄, filter the mixture, and evaporate the filtrate.
[0105] Dissolve the residue in 20 mL of MeOH, add 100 mg of (4-methylphenyl)-sulfonic acid,
and stir the solution at ambient temperature for 18 hrs. Add 1 mL of NH₄OH, concentrate
the solution, and partition to residue with EtOAc-H₂O. Dry the organic solvent over
anhydrous MgSO₄, filter the mixture, and evaporate the filtrate. Chromatograph the
residue on silica gel. Elute with 8:2 EtOAc-acetone to give 0.5g of the title compound:
PMR (CDCl₃) d 8.11 (s, 1), 7.81 (s, 1), 7.35 (m, 1), 6.81 (m,2), 4.57 (q. 2), 4.04
(t, 1), 3.72 (m, 1); 3.4 (m, 2), 2.55-2.25 (m, 2), 2.05-1.90 (m, 1).
[0106] To verify the stereochemistry, react the title compound with [(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl
chloride and pyridine following standard procedure to give a product identical in
all respects to the product of Example 15.
EXAMPLE: 42
[0107]

A.
[0108] Preparation of

[0109] Follow the procedure of Examples 19 and 20 except substitute an equivalent quantity
of a compound, in Column A below for the S-(+)-2-butanol tosylate of Example 19 to
obtain a prduct of the formula IV wherein R' is as shown in Column B.

B.
[0110] Follow the procedures of Examples 21 and 23 except substitute an equivalent quantity
of a compound of Part A of Example 42 for the compound of Example 21 to obtain the
corresponding demethylated products then substitute an equivalent quantity of the
demethylated products for the demethylated product in Example 23 to obtain the compounds
of formula III where R' is as shown in Column B of Step A.